Troops Foil Midnight ISWAP School Attack, Rescue 46 Students in Borno as Terrorists Kill Some During Gun Battle
Troops of Operation HADIN KAI, working alongside the Nigeria Police Force, have successfully foiled a midnight attack by suspected Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) terrorists on a school facility in Monguno, Borno State, rescuing all 46 students targeted for abduction.
However, despite the successful rescue operation, the Military confirmed that some students were tragically killed after being hit by sporadic gunfire fired by the terrorists during a fierce exchange with security personnel. The number of casualties has not yet been disclosed.
According to Military authorities, the attack occurred at about 1:30 a.m. on Saturday, when heavily armed ISWAP fighters attempted to storm a school facility being used by the Borno State Government as temporary hostel accommodation for students of the Federal Polytechnic, Monguno.
Preliminary investigations indicated that the terrorists allegedly gained access to the premises with the assistance of suspected collaborators, in what appeared to be a carefully coordinated plot to abduct the students.
Alert security personnel immediately engaged the insurgents while troops from the Sector 3 Quick Reaction Force swiftly reinforced the school. A fierce gun battle followed, with Soldiers and Police overpowering the attackers through coordinated firepower.
Unable to withstand the superior combat strength of the security forces, the terrorists abandoned their mission and fled the scene without taking any student captive.
Following the operation, all 46 students were evacuated to Kinnasara Barracks in Monguno, where they received medical examinations and necessary treatment. Military authorities confirmed that all rescued students were medically stable.
Despite the success, the Military expressed deep sorrow over the students who lost their lives during the attack.
Operation HADIN KAI extended condolences to the bereaved families, describing the deaths as heartbreaking and reaffirming its commitment to protecting schools and civilian communities from terrorist attacks.
Military Launches Massive Manhunt
Security forces have since launched an intensive manhunt to track down the fleeing terrorists and apprehend individuals suspected of aiding the attackers.
Military authorities assured residents that intelligence-led operations are ongoing to dismantle the terrorist network operating around Monguno and other parts of northern Borno.
The latest operation comes amid sustained Military offensives against Boko Haram and ISWAP enclaves across the North-East, where Security Agencies say several insurgent commanders have been neutralised and many hostages rescued in recent months.
Schools Still Under Threat
The attempted mass abduction is another reminder of the persistent threat posed by Boko Haram and ISWAP to educational institutions in Nigeria’s North-East.
Global Mirror News recalls that Borno State has witnessed several attacks on schools over the years, including the infamous 2014 Chibok schoolgirls’ abduction, as well as more recent assaults targeting students during examinations and in school hostels. Despite intensified military operations, insurgents continue to target vulnerable communities in the region.
